Stable
isotope analysis as a tool for determining seafood provenance
K.
Gopi1, D. Mazumder2*, N. Saintilan3, F. Md.
Yusoff4 and J. Sammut1
1Centre for
Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University
of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
2Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232,
Australia
3Department of
Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
4Faculty of
Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding
Author E-mail: debashish.mazumder@ansto.gov.au
|
Key
words
Barramundi
C:N ratio
Seafood provenance
Stable isotope analysis
Publication Data
Paper received :
08.09.2017
Revised received :
25.09.2017
Re-revised received :
10.11.2017 Accepted : 28.12.2017
|
Abstract
Aim: To determine if
stable isotope analysis is a viable tool for authenticating the geographical
origin of seafood purchased from the market. The carbon and nitrogen isotope
values of samples were analysed to determine if they differ according to
their source.
Methodology: One set of
barramundi samples were purchased from three different markets and another
set was obtained directly from a farm. Two sets of tiger prawn samples were
obtained from the same markets as the barramundi. These samples were then
analysed using isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine their carbon and
nitrogen isotopic values.
Results: The barramundi
samples showed significant differences between sources in both the δ13C
(< 0.05) and δ15N (< 0.05) values. Similarly, the tiger
prawn samples also showed significant differences between sources in the
δ13C (< 0.05) and δ15N (p-value < 0.05)
values.
Interpretation: This pilot study
successfully distinguished between barramundi samples and tiger prawns from
different geographical locations. We recommend that further studies be conducted
with a higher number of samples, and multiple sites from different geographic
regions, and to account for factors influencing the δ13C and
δ15N values. This study highlights the potential of isotopic
analysis as a tool for policy makers and regulatory bodies to verify seafood
provenance and enforce industry compliance for source labelling of seafood
products.
|
Copyright
? 2018 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can
be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility
regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the
conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).
|